Chapter 54

I noticed Severus tense up at my suggestion, looking somewhat flustered. Was I putting him in a difficult position? Was he unwilling? I felt conflicted.

"Ah, if it's too sudden and you can't accept it… then just forget I said anything." I tried to sound casual, making an effort to keep my tone light, but it only made me seem more awkward.

Feeling dejected, I sighed internally.

Severus glared at me for a moment before his expression turned resigned. He glanced to the side, muttering, "It is quite sudden. You really—"

"Planned this?" I watched his reaction carefully, trying to grasp his meaning.

He took a deep breath. "I planned to propose to you in front of your parents after we returned home for the holidays." He looked at me with a wry smile. "You beat me to it. Did you have to be in such a hurry?"

"You were going to propose to me? In front of my parents?!" I wasn't sure whether to be more surprised or delighted. I had always thought Severus wouldn't like expressing his feelings publicly.

Severus huffed. "Yes, I finally made up my mind. You're going to regret not waiting."

"Oh, I'm already regretting it!" I teased, quickly pecking his cheek and linking my arm with his as we walked toward the door.

"So, now that we're on the same page, let's discuss the wedding date! Severus, when do you think is good?"

"You decide."

"How about next month?"

"So soon?!"

"Because I'm eager to marry you!"

"…Are you sure it's not because of that bet?"

"Well, that might be a tiny part of it."

"I reserve my judgment."

"…"

For the last time as students, we got off the Hogwarts Express. On Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, we said our goodbyes to our friends.

Lily and James walked towards Mr. and Mrs. Potter, waving back at us. "Goodbye, Sawyer, Severus! Don't forget to owl me!" Lily winked at me.

I recalled her whispered words earlier, "Don't forget our bet!"

Rubbing my forehead, I thought of my youthful folly… A bet's a bet; I can't back down now.

Besides, I had already made up my mind. I thought happily.

We Apparated directly from the platform to the hallway of the house on Spinner's End.

After my parents moved out, they didn't sell the house but left it for me. Severus and I decided to connect the two adjacent houses. With magical support, we didn't worry about breaking load-bearing walls. We created spacious passageways or doors wherever possible.

The area was becoming increasingly run-down, with worsening security. Drunks, hooligans, and thieves lurked in the dark alleys. Those who could move away had left, leaving behind only the very poor or gang leaders, and no decent people could endure living here.

The house was protected by Muggle-Repelling Charms and Muggle-Repelling Wards, so no Muggles would approach. Strangers, even wizards, wouldn't think a wizarding family would live in such a Muggle neighborhood. 

Of course, the house had warning charms and various defenses, some involving Dark Magic. Any unauthorized person trying to enter, whether friend or foe, would be automatically attacked. Injuries depended on their luck and abilities.

We Apparated through the defenses, feeling a brief probe and withdrawal of the protective layer. Anyone else attempting this would be thrown face-first out of the nearest window—a creative but effective prank spell that caused minimal harm but maximum surprise. Every room in the house, including bathrooms, was equipped with alarm bells.

When we set this up, Severus half-jokingly suggested tricking James and Sirius into trying it out. I had to admit, the idea was very tempting.

We each took our luggage and headed to our rooms to rest a bit before using the Floo Network to my parents' apartment.

"Oh, dear, you're finally back. I missed you so much! And Severus, come in, sit down; dinner is ready!" As soon as we stepped out of the fireplace, Isaya gave me a long-awaited hug, ruffling my hair and patting my face as if I were still a child, even though I was now taller than her.

Isaya also gave Severus a solid hug, and this time, he seemed much less rigid than before. He still wasn't fond of such intimate contact, but he was getting used to it.

I smiled and led Severus to the table.

Clearing my throat, I noticed my parents' eyes focused on me.

"There's something I want to tell you…" Suddenly, this scene felt strangely familiar. Glancing at Severus, I saw the same recognition in his eyes.

I giggled, and Severus smiled too.

"Oh, I think I know—" Isaya drew out her words, studying us, "Are you getting engaged or breaking up?"

Before we could respond, she turned to Hughes, "Seeing their synchronicity, they must be getting engaged." She nodded knowingly, wearing a 'been there, done that' expression.

"Neither, actually," I said innocently, "We're getting married!"

"Married?!" Isaya's eyes widened in surprise and confusion. "You're only eighteen. Though young marriages aren't unheard of, isn't it too soon?"

"It's not too early. Many wizards marry young…" My words were cut off by Isaya's gasp.

"Oh! You're not… Sawyer, you're not pregnant, are you?" Isaya exclaimed, looking me up and down worriedly. Hughes, who had been smiling, shot Severus a sharp look.

"No!" I quickly denied, waving my hands. "You've got it all wrong. We're definitely not marrying because of a baby!"

The most intimate we had been was mutual caressing; we hadn't gone all the way. Even though we were sometimes tempted, we controlled ourselves.

I couldn't stop my face from heating up. Glancing at Severus, I saw he also looked embarrassed, a faint blush tinging his cheeks.

Our reactions only made them more suspicious. Even Isaya turned to glare at Severus.

"Really, I swear!" I tried to sound convincing despite my flushed face.

"Alright, let's eat! The food's getting cold…" Under the scrutinizing gazes, I managed a weak smile.

That night, we stayed over, with me in my room and Severus in the guest room.

As soon as I lay down, Isaya climbed into bed with me, claiming she wanted to have some girl talk.

In the dim moonlight filtering through the thin curtains, I saw her bright eyes staring at me. After a moment of eerie silence, I gave in.

"Okay, I'll tell you the truth. There really isn't a baby… And I proposed to Severus first, just yesterday. Though he was planning to do it soon, too."

"Why the rush to get married?" Isaya asked gently. "It's not a game; it's for life. And don't talk about divorce."

"…The wizarding world is at war. We can't stay out of it. Don't worry, we'll be very careful! But if something happens, I don't want to have any regrets." I spoke softly, afraid that saying it aloud might make it true.

Isaya sighed, holding me close and stroking my hair. Her voice came from above my head, "How could I not worry? War is such a frightening word…"

Feeling the warmth of her embrace, I murmured, "I'm scared of the war too. Injuries can be healed, but if we die, what then? I don't want to leave you; I don't want to lose Severus."

Isaya listened silently, patting my back gently, just like when I was a child.

Unconsciously, I burrowed closer to the warmth, pressing my face into her chest, feeling the soft pressure.

"But we can't run away. Severus and I can't. There are too many important things we can't abandon." I nodded to affirm myself, "And I'm a brave Gryffindor, after all."

"Ah, that's the house you're in? I remember you said the symbol is a lion."

"Yeah!"

"Then be brave, and stay safe! My little lion."

"I'm not little anymore…"

"Hehe, even when you're all grown up and getting married, you'll still be our little lion."

Considering that I would start at St. Mungo's at the end of July, we set the wedding date for the first Sunday of July.

I sent an invitation to Lily, and that evening, Jamie flew back with a reply. To distinguish my beloved owl from Lily's dear Potter, I nicknamed him Jamie. Fortunately, he grudgingly accepted the nickname.

Lily sent a small mirror with a round, silver-backed shell engraved with an antique pattern.

"Sawyer?"

Examining the mirror in my hand, I heard Lily's voice. Turning it over, I saw her face appear in the mirror.

"Wow, is this a pair of two-way mirrors?" I had once seen similar mirrors in Diagon Alley. The shopkeeper had explained that you could talk to someone through the mirror. Like a video call! I missed my cell phone. Unfortunately, it was a bit pricey, so I didn't buy one.

"Exactly! James got these for us, but I took them. He'll manage to get another pair; his family is rich, after all."

Lily, you're so envious of the rich… I wisely kept this thought to myself.

"Sawyer, you guys moved quickly. You've already set a date!" Lily's expression was a mix of surprise and approval.

"Just doing our best… How are you at the Potters'?"

"Great! Mr. and Mrs. Potter are wonderful people, and even though they're an old pure-blood family, they've never said anything about my Muggle heritage. I was a bit worried, but they accepted me right away!" Lily beamed.

I could see how happy she was. The "pure-blood supremacy" rhetoric still troubled her. Marrying into a pure-blood family came with its own psychological pressure. Fortunately, James's parents were open-minded.

It's good that Severus and I are both half-bloods.

"Hey! Are you zoning out? Sawyer, you've hurt my feelings…" Lily wailed dramatically.

"Uh, hehe, just empathize with a bride-to-be's nerves. You'll understand once your wedding date is set." I joked, trying to ease the mood.

"Sawyer? Who are you talking to?" Severus's voice came from the other side. He must have come up from the basement potions lab.

"Lily sent a two-way mirror! It's really convenient." I quickly made my way through the house to what used to be Severus's dining room. He was taking care of his hands, as some potion ingredients were harmful to the skin. After much persuasion, Severus had started taking better care of his hands.

Since his hands were occupied, I held the mirror up to him. They exchanged greetings before ending the call.

We settled on the couch to discuss the wedding. Severus suggested keeping it simple due to the wartime, and I agreed, preferring a low-key affair with just close friends and family.

"Severus, what about your friends? Who should we invite?" I asked, toying with the mirror. My close friend was Lily, and though Regulus Black was a Slytherin acquaintance, he wasn't close to Severus.

"Just Lily and Damien."

"They're our mutual friends. I meant from Slytherin."

"Only Lucius, but inviting him wouldn't be appropriate," Severus said, raising an eyebrow. "Considering his affiliations, he'd be at odds with our friends."

True. Inviting a Slytherin among a group of Gryffindors might turn our wedding into a battlefield.